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The Army commander, General Joseph Aoun, has emerged as a central figure in Lebanon’s strategic considerations, extending beyond the aspiration to be the only Christian president in the Arab world. His current top priority is securing Lebanon’s border sovereignty. In a tense regional context, it is imperative to prevent the repercussions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from reigniting Lebanon, jeopardizing its stability and its citizens’ security.
In line with the Group of Five’s calls for a “deadline” and a “third way,” the Army’s commander-in-chief appears to be the ideal candidate for rallying the Lebanese around a robust state reform project. The objective is to establish a state with enduring institutions capable of guiding the liberal economy towards policies that ensure the social justice demanded by the population. This vision bears resemblance to that of Fouad Chehab, who managed to build a state that combined social aspirations with liberal principles.
Since his appointment as the head of the Lebanese Army in 2017, General Joseph Aoun has demonstrated his determination in facing the country’s major challenges. Under his command, the Army achieved a decisive victory against ISIS in the “Dawn of the Barrens” operation, successfully pushing ISIS fighters out of Lebanese territory.
During the October 2019 revolution, General Joseph Aoun’s leadership was crucial. He skillfully maneuvered to ensure that the Army was not caught between its loyalty to the population and its obligations to the political class, thereby consolidating national unity.
Currently, Gebran Bassil and the Free Patriotic Movement are criticizing General Joseph Aoun for not suppressing the October 17 uprising. Similarly, in the past, Camille Chamoun and the Christian leaders of the time had criticized Fouad Chehab for not mobilizing the Army during the 1958 crisis. However, it was precisely this restraint that paved the way for Chehab to assume the presidency.
Despite Lebanon’s multi-confessional landscape, the Army, often referred to as “the great silent one,” remains the only functioning state institution that has managed to avoid paralysis. Symbolizing national unity, it reflects Chehab’s vision, where national identity supersedes sectarian divisions. In the face of a drastically reduced budget, General Joseph Aoun has still succeeded in maintaining the strength and resilience of the Army during recent tumultuous years.
Faced with the political impasse in Lebanon, the Army commander made an unequivocal assessment: “Either the military institution remains strong or chaos sets in. There is no middle ground.”
According to reliable sources, the Army’s commander-in-chief has developed an economic and social recovery plan for Lebanon, encompassing essential reforms. The primary objective is to restore the citizens’ trust, including unlocking the savings of depositors frozen since 2019, stabilizing the currency, ensuring a constant electricity supply, fighting corruption, and establishing impartial justice. These are all key elements to revitalize the Lebanese economy and guarantee the well-being of the population.
Implementing this plan would signify a rebirth of the Lebanese state. Indeed, a government that neglects its fundamental obligations to its people risks compromising its legitimacy and, consequently, the sovereignty of the country it governs.
Like Fouad Chehab, General Joseph Aoun seems convinced that only a third political path, combining economic development and social reforms, can revive Lebanon. This approach could potentially strengthen the Lebanese national identity at the expense of sectarian divisions.
As Lebanon and its allies strive to find solutions, the General’s stature within the Army and his ability to rally the Lebanese around a vision of societal and economic reconstruction are essential levers for the nation’s recovery.
